Fruit of Patience

 

Patience!  A word each time I see it slaps me in the face.  I would welcome the feedback of “You are so patient.”  Yet, I cannot say that has been on anyone’s lips – both personally and professionally.  I have gaps, and patience is one of them.  I have attempted to bring a stronger sense of patience into my life, as a mother, as a wife, and as a working professional.  Looking back upon each of those roles, there have been moments where I failed, miserably.

This reared its ugly head in a couple of situations – typically when things are moving as fast as I am moving.  At home, this can show up when I am entertaining.  Everything has a place and time.  If it is not as I ‘planned,’ my lack of patience shines through – like a spotlight.   Those around me?  They prefer to hide under the nearest chair.  At work, it came in lack of my ‘planned goal’ not being achieved.  If things were not getting done, that meant we needed to do more and do it quicker.  By recognizing this negative response in myself, I provided my staff to share the words ‘Jersey Mode.’  When those words were shared with me, I knew I was working too quickly and needed to step back in patience.

Having patience means having to rely on God.  When the Holy Spirit touches us and provides us opportunities to show patience, we need to take these opportunities as gifts of learning and growth.  Patience means we are going to remain calm during adversity.  It means we are empathetic; it means we are not impulsive in our reactions.  The situations above did not exude a sense of calm; I was reacting purely impulsively.  Patience is a fruit God gives to us to deal with earthly circumstances.  It helps us and it helps those around us.

Where can we practice patience?  By turning to God.  My friends, the realization that He is in control, working for our benefit even though we may not recognize it, can bring us patience.  Patience means it will not happen in our time, but in God’s time!  Patience means we will continue to put our simple faith in the fact that God is working on our behalf, even when we cannot see anything happening.  Patience means we respond with a trust in God, not a trust in ourselves.

When we need patience, go to God first.  Ask for His hand as you walk a difficult journey or a journey of waiting.  Ask the Holy Spirit to touch your heart and soul so that you can respond to others in God’s light.  Ask for a calm voice and a steady process of hope.  It is there for all of us; all we need to do is ask for God’s help for patience!

Video that complements this post:  Fruit of Patience

Holy Spirit, help me to recognize when my patience is wearing thin.  Provide me the nudge to seek God and ask for endurance, trust, and hope.  In your name I pray.  Amen!